City profile · Pennsylvania · Census ACS 2023

West Reading, PA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for West Reading - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

4,537
Residents
$61,974
Median income
$159,700
Median home
$1,575
Median rent (state)

West Reading - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, West Reading places in the 38th percentile for household income and the 16th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

38th
percentile, household income
30th
percentile, home value
63rd
percentile, median rent
16th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: West Reading, PA

Pennsylvania's West Reading is a small town, with 4,537 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in West Reading brings in $61,974 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.0%. Home values in West Reading run a median of $159,700, and the median resident age is 34.9 years. 33.3% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 56.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 0 residential building permits were authorized in West Reading (No Permits), down 100% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. West Reading's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2972.2 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Pennsylvania tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Pennsylvania at 97.6 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,575 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $260 across Pennsylvania, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 92.7 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

4,537 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Pennsylvania

Median Household Income

$61,974 /yr

Poverty 7.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.6 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Pennsylvania average

How does West Reading compare to other US cities?

Where West Reading sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 38% higher than other cities
Home value 30% pricier than other cities
Median rent 63% pricier than other cities
Safety 16% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Pennsylvania and the picture shifts: West Reading ranks #380 of 402 Pennsylvania cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below West Reading's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Pennsylvania, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

38thIncome percentile
16thSafety percentile

38th percentile nationally for median household income · 16th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

West Reading's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

West Reading's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 36 Avg. percentile National median
West Reading's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How West Reading's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$159,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 70% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. West Reading $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - West Reading, PA West Reading, PA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not West Reading, PA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution West Reading, PA median $61,974/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
West Reading, PA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for West Reading, PA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 33.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
4,537
Median Income
$61,974
Median Home Value
$159,700
Median Age
34.9
Poverty Rate
7.0%
Labor force participation
56.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
33.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2972.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
440.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2531.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,540 residents4,560 residents4,580 residents4,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,549 residents 4,590 residents ▲ +0.9%
West Reading's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

Total Permits (2024)
0
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 6
2020 0
2021 0
2022 0
2023 0
2024 0

Permit volume decreased 100% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
79.6%
Carpool
1.2%
Public Transit
0.5%
Walk
10.8%
Work from Home
8.0%

Based on 1,987 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Pennsylvania - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$120
avg/month
Natural Gas
$88
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$52
avg/month
Total Utilities
$260
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Pennsylvania state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Pennsylvania state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county West Reading sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.6
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,575/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
92.7 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Pennsylvania

Donora
4,536 people
Jim Thorpe
4,534 people
Paxtonia
4,530 people
Sellersville
4,545 people
Hummelstown
4,526 people
Jessup
4,506 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to West Reading's 4,537 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Chester, MD
4,539 people
Nowthen, MN
4,539 people
Mountain Lakes, NJ
4,535 people
Thiells, NY
4,539 people
Horseshoe Bay, TX
4,534 people
Maeser, UT
4,533 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to West Reading's $61,974 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Dennis Port, MA
$61,974 median income
Homestead, FL
$61,975 median income
Holbrook, AZ
$61,979 median income
Brookings, SD
$61,979 median income
Canistota, SD
$61,979 median income
Pine, AZ
$61,964 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - West Reading, PA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition West Reading, PA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 62.7% 6.6% 19.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 32.5% White 62.7% Black or African American 5.4% Asian 6.6% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 5.4% Two or more races 19.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How West Reading compares to nearby Pennsylvania cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
West Reading (this city) 4,537 $61,974
Donora 4,536 $42,851
Jim Thorpe 4,534 $70,625
Paxtonia 4,530 $100,573
Census ACS 5-year FIPS PA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about West Reading, PA?

What is the population of West Reading, PA? +

West Reading, PA counts 4,537 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in West Reading, PA? +

In West Reading, the typical household earns $61,974 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in West Reading? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for West Reading; the closest available measure is the Pennsylvania state average, a cost of living index of 97.6 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Pennsylvania vary by metro area.

Is West Reading, PA safe? +

West Reading has a total crime rate of 2972.2 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in West Reading, PA? +

Homes in West Reading carry a median value of $159,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.